City Manager Rad Bartlam's public information sessions on the
city budget are like a college-level survey course in city
finance.

The timing is perfect.

As government budgets continue to be squeezed, the public is
becoming more concerned. But before the public can make a
meaningful difference, we all need to know what we're talking
about.

Whether we lean toward lower taxes, toward justice for the
workers or more safety and services for everyone, we all have
slightly different takes on the problem of government budgets and
Lodi's budget in particular. We all suspect their are
inefficiencies in government. But it's hard to know where. We all
worry if there's self-dealing and corruption, though we don't have
time to be down at City Hall all day long seeing who's doing what.
There's more talk now about employee compensation than we can every
remember.

Fine.

What can we do?

We can take a little time and learn a little more.

There may be devil in the details of municipal finance. But
there is also much wisdom and good judgment behind those same
details.

Bartlam's lectures are, in effect, opening the books for all to
see — at least for all who care. Those, like Tea Party volunteer Ed
Miller, who take the time to review the values, judgments and
details in the city books, may perhaps spot the oversights.

A knock against the Tea Party has been that members were taking
collective aim at President Obama while ignoring governmental
goings-on in their own backyards. Bravo to Mr. Miller for showing
the Tea Party is connecting — and watching — at the local
level.

Those who have absorbed the lessons can make informed
suggestions and help form a consensus for change.

Similar outreach is planned by the North San Joaquin Water
Conservation District board. Board members plan two public
workshops in coming days. The first is Thursday at 6 p.m. at the
Lodi Library and deals with the district budget. The second deals
with projects, with a date and time yet to be set.

After months of hue and cry in the little water district, some
civil discourse and education is quite welcome.

We hope more people will attend Professor Bartlam's classes as
well as the sessions offered by North San Joaquin.